I was a bit surprised that people turn the shower off and on during their bathing adventure. I always just stand and enjoy the heat until the water gets cold or someone bangs on the door because they have to use the toilet.

I have really good water pressure, so when I'm in the shower I switch between the shower head and diverting the water through the bath tap because otherwise the shower is so strong that it washes the shampoo or shower gel away before I've had a chance to lather it up.

A normal shower is no more than 5 minutes, including hairwash. A shower without hairwash is probably 2 minutes. If I've had to stand on the train with my heavy backpack, sometimes I'll stand under a hot needle jet for a couple of minutes to ease the knot in my shoulders.

I have one of those constant hot water systems, so I could stay under for an hour, if I wanted to.

And I always shower. I hate lying in the bath. Part of that is because my bathtub is 170cm long and I am only 150cm tall, so it's uncomfortable for me and I can't relax without sliding under the water. And part of it is that I hate lying in scummy water.

I grew up during a drought and it was beaten into our heads to take short showers. We would hear stories how people in Southern California took long showers and watered their lawns using our water. We were better than that.

I still take quick showers unless I'm really hungover or have done something really exhausting or dirty. Or when staying at Westin Hotels with the Heavenly Shower... or W Hotels and their rainwater showers. I'm a snob about hotel showers.

I bathe in the blood of my enemies, and as such, cannot contribute to this thread.

I grew up during a drought and it was beaten into our heads to take short showers. We would hear stories how people in Southern California took long showers and watered their lawns using our water. We were better than that.

That really bugged me when I was a kid. While we were up in Northern CA carefully conserving water, they had lush green lawns.

I see that jessamyn deleted the comments where ChasFile (I think it was) called everyone that didn't do the military style "5 minutes total, 3 with water" an irresponsible asshole.

Bathing? What is this bathing you freaks are speaking of? I splash toilet water behind my ears once a week whether I need it or not.

My parents subscribed to the "5 minutes total, 3 with water" philosophy, and would enforce it by turning off the hot water heater if I didn't comply. They also had a horrid shower head that produced a tiny trickle of water. Not surprisingly, as an adult, I take 15 minute showers with a high-pressure shower head going full blast. Between the shower rules, the toilet paper made of recycled materials (recycled steel wool, I think), and the environmentally-friendly cleaning products that didn't clean, I think my 18 years of environmental penance entitles me to some luxury now that I'm an adult.

Heh. I saw a video clip from some TV show about "the worlds cheapest man." He was one of these wackos that would go out of his way to save 3 cents. One of the things he did was buy 2-ply toilet paper and then carefully unroll it and separate the 2 plys so that he could use them individually. And he would rinse out paper towels and hang them up to dry and use again later. It went on and on, the amount of bullshit this dude would go to to save literally pennies (and he was married!!!!)

Anyway, I'm reminded of that guy when I read about these people that put up with the speed-showering and standing there dripping wet, shivering, just to avoid a few gallons of water here and there. Screw that, first thing I do when moving into a place is remove the restricter from the showerhead.